Transport and Trucking News

For many in the industry, it’s no surprise to hear how taxing being a professional driver can be. High demands from numerous customers, counting every minute as the clock ticks, and the countless responsibilities of delivering essential goods while navigating the roads with the public are all stressors that takes a strong, dedicated individual to face head on. When we spoke with Shannon McCall, a truck driver for the past fourteen years who now works with Centerline, it was clear that she has the chops to take on the trucking life.

Her first time in the seat of a truck, Shannon was amazed at how far up she felt and couldn’t wait to get out and begin driving. Before she could get on the road Shannon had to hit the books. School taught Shannon and her classmates how to conduct pre-inspections, move tandems, shift gears, and drive well, but she was left knowing that there were some things that could only be learned from firsthand experience.

It took Shannon a bit of time before she hit her stride and found a mentor in trucking. She eventually connected with a guide at UPS who taught her the ropes: to nap when she found the opportunity, to take strategic stops for a stretch and to reinvigorate, to accept the responsibilities that come with independence, and to continually adapt.

Now, Shannon shares her knowledge with the next wave of new drivers: always pay attention. Don’t become complacent. Know the importance of pre-trip inspections. Take safety seriously. Stay up-to-date on the news. With her tried-and-true wisdom, we expect that one day- Shannon will find herself as a mentor to a trucking newcomer. And as a community, we’re glad we can count on people like her.

With Roadcheck 2018 behind you and Safe Driver Week coming soon, make sure to keep the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Brake Safety Week on your radar. From September 16 to 22, North American Standard Level 1 Inspections will be made on trucks across the U.S. and Canada.

Inspectors will have a keen eye on brake-system components in addition to overall vehicle maintenance. In the 37 step procedure, inspectors will examine driver operating requirements along with “air or hydraulic fluid leaks; defective rotor conditions; measurement of pushrod travel; mismatched air chamber sizes across axles; air reservoir integrity and mounting; worn linings, pads, drums or rotors; required brake-system warning devices; and other brake-system components.”

Ready yourself in advance so faulty brakes don’t break the bank. Knowing what inspectors will be looking for helps you best prepare, so be prepared for them to:

Check the air brake mechanical components

Check the steering axle air brake mechanical components

Check the brake adjustment

Build the air system's pressure to 90-100 psi

Check the air brake antilock braking system, if applicable

Test the air loss rate, if necessary

Test the low air pressure warning device

Check the tractor protection sytem

Last year, Brake Safety Week was shortened to two days and within that short timeframe, 14 percent of all inspected vehicles were put out of service due to brake violations.

The life of a trucker isn’t always an easy one. There is the pressure of the entire economy relying on you to be on time. You’re constantly making sure you’re staying safe, particularly with all of the other drivers who don’t know the rules of the road as well as you do. On top of that, your long hours add up, making for some lonely times. And then there’s traffic. While stressors are going to be a part of every job in any industry, there are unique aspects in trucking that can make it especially taxing.

Stress can affect you negatively, both mentally and physically, with symptoms ranging from headaches to sleep problems to chronic pain to depression. What are some simple choices you can make to help relieve some of that stress?

Communicate

Having open communication with your family, friends, and even coworkers and bosses will make your day-to-day more transparent to them. The more they know about the things going on with you at work, the more likely they are to be understanding.

Be Prepared

Emergencies and unexpected things are always going to come up, but you’ll find that when you’ve prepared in advance curveballs are less likely to send you into a frenzy. Having your family covered with extra help at hand not only makes it easier for them in times of need, but makes you feel more confident that they’re being taken care of while you’re working.

Build Yourself

We all enjoy a good talk show and listening to our favorite tunes, but there is ample amount of time on the road where you can work towards growing yourself both mentally and emotionally. Listening to motivational and educational material, whether TED Talks or a book on tape, keeps you learning and improving – something to boost your self-esteem, which can help reduce stress. If reading isn’t for your, try meditation to help improve your mental and physical health.

Release Endorphins

Exercise, even if just for a 15 minutes a day, produces chemicals in the body called endorphins that fight stress, anxiety, and depression. This will help your mindset, and your body will thank you too. When you feel good physically, it often translates into feeling the same way emotionally.

Remember, there are always going to be times when life gets to feel like too much – but you’re not alone in the journey. If you have feelings of stress leading to depression that you can’t shake, there is great strength in reaching out to your physician or doctor to talk about your options.

On Aug. 1, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) declared a regional emergency due to the wildfire activity in Washington, Oregon, and California as result of emergency declarations from governors of the three states. Truck drivers lending emergency aid to these areas are exempt from certain regulations including hours of service (HOS) through the duration of the emergency or until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 31, whichever is less.

The emergency declaration states that emergency conditions created the "need for immediate transportation of supplies, equipment and person" to provide necessary relief. Motor carriers and drivers providing “direct assistance” to the emergency states are granted regulatory relief until “a driver or commercial motor vehicle is used in interstate commerce to transport cargo or provide services not directly supporting the emergency relief effort or when the motor carrier dispatches a driver or commercial motor vehicle to another location to begin operations in commerce.”

The declaration is clear that there is to be no exemption from any other regulation requirements including those for commercial driver’s licenses, hazardous material, applicable size and weight, controlled substances and alcohol use and testing, and insurance among others.

NASA shows smoke observed as east as the southeastern U.S. coast and even into areas of upstate New York and northern New England. The highest concentrations of smoke are in Northern California, as 14,000 firefighters battle wildfires covering 967 square miles. Fires in 2018 are 30 percent larger than the average over the past decade, making this year far worse than most in recent memory.

The driver pool is evaporating - and campaigns pushing to recruit more women and military veterans are only finding marginal success. Driver IQ’s Recruitment and Retention Survey shows that fleets are hiring more women and military veterans than five years ago, but many still lack programs targeting these demographics for employment at all. Only 20 percent of fleets with programs recruiting nontraditional drivers were successful in adding employees while another 20 percent were unsure if their programs led to any hires.

The number of female drivers overall has increased over the past five years; 45 percent of respondents indicated their number of female drivers had grown. However, a whole 38 percent of respondents did not implement any kind of program pursuing female drivers. There was no change in the number of hired veterans for 25 percent of fleets and 38 percent of fleets report that they don’t have any programs to recruit veterans at all.

Women and minorities continue to make up a very small fragment of the trucking population: 94 percent of truckers are men and two-thirds of all drivers are Caucasian, reports the ATA. While there is potential movement toward younger drivers crossing state lines via truck, recruiting efforts for women have a ways to go. It can be difficult to attract female drivers to the industry due to the perception that the road is neither appropriate nor safe for them and while there is hope that will change, it will take a collective industry shift to make trucking a welcoming place for all.

Ellen Voie, president of the Women in Trucking Association, said that “There’s still men out there who think women shouldn’t be driving trucks. They’re few and far between, but they’re vocal.” However, she adds that “the experience has changed a lot over the past five years because carriers are trying hard to make sure women have a good experience.”

Working as a mover in New York, Orlando Galarza was accustom to a fast paced lifestyle. Trucking allowed him to experience the different paces of life all across the country. Orlando took the steps toward becoming a professional truck driver after prompting from his cousin David. He has now driven for the past 23 years and Centerline has been fortunate enough to work with Orlando since July of 2017.

Orlando recalls his first time driving a commercial vehicle, saying it was intimidating. If you saw him now you’d recognize the confidence he’s gained from miles behind the wheel, exploring new places and learning from the people he encounters. Orlando shared that because of the hospitality extended to him throughout his journeys along with the friendly ease of some states, he was able to let his self-proclaimed New York guard down a bit, and take time to enjoy life a little bit more leisurely, even though he loves the fast pace of city living.

Those who have had the chance to meet Orlando during his trips across the country would know that his customer service is incredible. When asked about a memorable experience on the road, he shared of a time he enlisted the help of local authorities to help reroute his truck so that a customer wouldn’t have to walk three blocks to pick up a load. Not only did the officer happily help escort him through rerouted lanes, but the customer was thoroughly appreciative of the additional effort and determination.

Orlando has noticed a shift within the driving community, saying that when he first started driving he saw that drivers were kinder to one another, always willing to help each other out. Now, it feels more dog-eat-dog and he hopes that he’ll see a return to what he first saw in the community. “Drivers should always be there for each other,” he said, adding that while there are the perks of making great money and having tons of opportunities, the most important thing is to follow your heart.

It’s no secret that truckers handle hard work that can take a toll on the body and mind. With long periods of isolation (from hours to days), time pressures and constraints, and the general tolls of a highly important job, many experience health issues like hypertension, diabetes, and sleep apnea. If you were told that you could treat yourself and increase immune function while potentially reducing blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, depression, chronic pain, and even irritable bowel syndrome for free – what would you say?

Research shows that the safe, calming activity of mindful meditation not only has positive physical and mental effects and but may also help a variety of conditions from fatigue to inflammation. While some view meditation as bizarre or new age-y, many over years and years find the practice very beneficial.

It sounds great, but where do you begin? First, remember that meditation takes practice. While it might feel useless or extra work at the start, remind yourself that you are worth taking the time to invest in.

Start Short

Don’t feel like you need to set aside long periods of time to meditate. Simply find a quiet spot where you can have a few moments to yourself without being distracted and begin. Meditation apps like Aura, Calm, or Headspace can also be helpful tools to get you started if you’re not quite sure how you want to start.

Just Breathe

Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Consider how you feel as you breathe in and out, how your body begins to relax. Your mind may clear a bit or it may be full of thoughts. Every time your thoughts begin to stray and you think of all the things happening in your life, bring yourself back to focusing on your breathing.

Take It Easy

You’ll forget to practice meditation. Don’t beat yourself up. Remember that meditation is not supposed to add stress, but take away from it. Meditation is meant to give you a few moments to bring your thoughts back to yourself and reset in a way. Over time, you may find that it’s a basic exercise that helps in your day-to-day.

The newest house bill would require the Department of Transportation to conduct a study around the number of truckers who have quit their jobs because of the ELD mandate. Kevin Cramer, North Dakota Rep., introduced H.R. 6159 on June 20th to the House’s Transportation Committee. In a Facebook post, Cramer wrote “The hardworking men and women who drive trucks are the lifeblood of our economy. Let’s support our truckers, not burden them.”

Whether denied, granted, or pending, the flurry of bills continue to pile on top of those from the early days of the mandate’s introduction. There is the HOURS, or the Honest Operators Undertake Road Safety Act, introduced by three House Representatives which would address the split sleeper rule and reduce the number of required supporting documents in an ELD. Then came South Dakota’s resolution asking for a full ELD repeal and Tennessee’s, which would prohibit funds from being used to enforce the mandate. Following proposals from Representatives Greg Gianforte and Collin Peterson each asked for exemption for agricultural sector truckers and businesses with ten or fewer trucks, respectively.

Inarguably, dissatisfaction and frustration has been widespread surrounding the rule, with company drivers and leased owner-operators both threatening departure from the industry. If passed, Cramer’s bill would allow the Secretary of Transportation 180 days to study and report the results to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Education and the Workforce Committee, and Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives Committee among others.

The National Transportation Safety Board lists 'expanding recorder use to enhance safety' on their list of "Most Wanted Transportation Safety Improvements". This issue has been on their list since 2016, the organization sharing that no single tool has helped determine cause of accidents as much as in-cab recorders. In-cab video safety systems provide valuable information after a crash, such as what malfunctions occurred, how many occupants died or wounded, and which safety devices and systems were employed, if any.

A study of over 10,000 crashes estimated that video could reduce fatal crashes by 20 percent and injury crashes by 35 percent. Adding to the death toll and injuries is the negative effect on public perception, employee morale, and trucking jobs. Considering the average cost for a fatal accident is $11 million and $500,000 for injury crashes, the NTSB questions why certain categories of transport – trucks being one of them – are not required to equip their transport with the technology.

At Central Oregon Truck Company headquarters, Truckload Carriers Association's “2018 Best Fleet to Drive For”, drivers enjoy on-site dorms, a gym, business center, café, and other amenities. They also drive a fleet of 315 Kenworth trucks equipped with in-cab video safety systems. CEO Rick Williams implemented the systems in 2016 as a way to acquit drivers if wrongfully accused of an accident. The footage also helps in making decisions when they encounter mistakes. Williams said, “If we do something wrong, we need to have that responsibility.”

Following Central Oregon’s lead, what are some benefits fleets and drivers have when using in-cab video monitoring?

TrainingThere are five coaches at Central Oregon who review the videos, triggered by predetermined infractions. After assessing, they have the opportunity to review with the driver. They are able to correct potential issues before they occur again, creating a holistic way of coaching their team of drivers. Risky behaviors like speeding, harsh acceleration, tailgating, and sharp corner handling can be recorded and referenced when training. While possessing driver performance data is important, acting on that data is even more effective. Retraining immediately after assessing at-risk behavior is the step that could close the loop on unsafe practices.

Crash Reduction and PreventionWith improved driver training comes the reduction and prevention of crashes. Not only are all motorists’ lives more protected, but the potential for physical and fiscal hits decreases. Specific insights when learning are helpful in all learning scenarios, driving included.

Crash AnalysisVideo can help managers improve their training while aiding in presenting a clear scenario for a learning driver. Video footage lends an element to the coaching process that driver-scoring reports alone can’t offer. Used in tandem with events listed in these reports, managers and drivers can see exact behaviors tied to triggered events.

In the past, Erika Abrams was known for her shear skills as a barber. Now, she is known for her sheer skills as a truck driver. A professional trucker for the past three years, Erika was self-employed for the majority of her life. Accustomed to the freedom of working independently, Erika found that working as an employed driver gives her the best of both worlds: a steady income with the flexibility she so appreciates.

Erika’s experience as an independent contractor prepared her well for a career in trucking. She found her leadership skills very useful. Because she had established effective work habits as her own boss, the results of her hard work paid off in her new profession.

The challenge of getting behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler was one that excited Erika. She says that nothing could have prepared her to know the feeling of driving a semi other than simply doing it. Erika went to trucking school to get her commercial driver license and proved her skills by maintaining a job – something her fellow classmates seemed unable to do.

Erika has seen changes in the industry like worsened traffic. She hopes that with changes like these, driver pay will improve. “Drivers dedicate their entire beings to their profession” she says. They sacrifice quality time with friends and family to deliver loads on schedule. Erika is keenly aware of the discussions happening in Congress and hopes that trucker voices will be heard across the nation.

Erika advises new or potential drivers to communicate as much as possible with experienced drivers. Insights from a seasoned trucker are helpful, as different personalities might find that different roles in trucking suit them. Erika knows there are particular demands in all trades, but one thing she can count on in trucking are the rewards and support. It makes it all worthwhile. Erika might not be cutting hair any more, but she’s making trucking look good with her dedication and hard work.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) annual Brake Safety Week will use a heavy hand on enforcement with a focus on brake violations in September. From September 16 through 22, the CVSA will return to hosting a full week of inspections after last year’s sole day.

Inspectors will be examining brake components in depth, and vehicles with defective or out-of-service adjustment brakes will be placed out of service. The CVSA explained in a press release that, “Properly functioning brake systems are crucial to safe CMV operation” and “Improperly installed or poorly maintained brake systems can reduce braking efficiency, posing serious risk to public safety on our roadways.”

Most inspections performed will be full Level 1 North American Standard inspections and are the most in-depth evaluations of the following:

In 2017, 14 percent of inspected trucks during the one-day inspection spree were placed out-of-service, specifically for brake violations. During this year’s annual Roadcheck the focus was to be on hours of service, but brake-related violations made up the majority of out-of-service violations.

Artificial intelligence is making its way into all aspects of life, whether we support the movement or not. One of the many industries seeing the influence of AI is transportation, with the introduction and deployment of automated vehicles. As legislation turns their attention to laws relating to autonomy, insurers weigh in on manufacturer claims, and money pours into development - industry stakeholders are asking how autonomy may actually be an advantage to truckers.

Uber’s product lead for self-driving trucks, Alden Woodrow, is disappointed in the amount of coverage they’ve seen on how self-driving trucks are destined to be a negative for truck drivers. Woodrow and others in the industry see truck drivers benefitting in a number of ways including:

Locally Focused

Uber sees a future where autonomous trucks take control during the heavily regulated miles between what they are calling “transfer hubs”. At these hubs, human drivers would take the wheel for the final miles through dense or complex territory where AI could not operate as safely or comprehensively. Researchers see more opportunities for truck drivers to run local routes in areas concentrated around production centers and high consumption.

Holistically Effective

With the help of self-driving trucks, the driver shortage may not affect freight rates at so adversely. Freight prices have climbed due to shippers finding need to cover their own increased costs. Lower freight rates could mean higher demand, resulting in more business. Subsequently, more freight would need to be delivered, requiring more local, human drivers. With additional jobs offering the ability to work closer to home, more drivers may join the pool and enjoy their work and quality of life while closing the shortage gap.

Innovative with Job Types

The McKinsey Global Institute shared in a report that “new technologies have spurred the creation of many more jobs than they destroyed, and some of the new jobs are in occupations that cannot be envisioned at the outset; one study found that 0.56 percent of new jobs in the United States each year are in new occupations. Most jobs created by technology are outside the technology-producing sector itself.” While specific jobs related to autonomous vehicles may not be easily distinguishable yet, it is likely that pioneering driver technology will spur the need for new types of roles that fit existing truck drivers’ needs while appealing to a new group of potential drivers.

Not only has the trucking industry experienced enormous difficulty in hiring drivers, retaining good ones is a whole other struggle. Reports show that when surveying over 100,000 drivers working for 140 different carriers, 60% of all drivers spanning all age groups plan to leave within six months. Preconceived notions of Millennials jumping from job to job have been discredited according to recent research by Stay Metrics, a research-informed solutions provider for problems unique to transportation.

Drivers aged 21-40 had slightly higher turnover rates than the average at 69%, but only 2 percent higher than the 67 percent of drivers aged 41 through 45. 56 to 60 year old drivers had the lowest turnover rate at 49 percent. Tim Hindes, chief executive officer of Stay Metrics, shared that “Contrary to popular belief, ‘Millennial’ drivers are only slightly more likely than middle-age Gen X drivers to leave their carriers” and that “we don’t see that impulsive decision making we often associate with youth as a leader cause of early driver turnover.”

With the driver shortage expected to reach 174,000 in the coming decade, Congress continues to weigh the possibility of allowing 18 to 20 year old CDL holders across state lines after Rep. Duncan Hunter proposed the new legislation. As of now, most states do not allow truck drivers in this age range to drive state to state. Proponents of the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act, or the DRIVE-Safe Act, say that allowing younger drivers would expand the labor pool However, some argue on the side of the DOT saying that younger drivers would only add turmoil to the lacking market.

Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, wrote to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that “Young drivers both lack overall experience and are less safe behind the wheel than their older counterpart”, adding that “commercial motor vehicle drivers who are 19 to 20 years of age are six times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes.” Hunter debates that in order to keep the nation functioning, there must be adaptation, stating “There is no downside to doing this because you already have people on the road that are in the ages of 18 to 21. They went through all of the training, all the safety stuff. So they’re already doing it, they just simply can’t driver over the state line.” He followed up by saying “this fixes a dumb issue that Congress needs to fix.”

Whether or not the legislation goes through at this time, fleets may find it important to consider the Millennial set and the subsequent generation when continuing to face the driver shortage. Those who were previously perceived as undependable or inconsistent may have as much of an impact as their predecessors.

The love of travel initially sparked Nancy Carbins’ interest in becoming a professional truck driver. The freedom, privacy, and ability to adventure cemented that interest. A correctional officer for ten years prior, Nancy decided that she wanted a career where she didn’t have to constantly be around people. Trucking has given her the opportunity to explore some of her favorite places in the nation such as Lake Tahoe, sample a variety of cuisines from a host of places (Nancy is a foodie at heart!), begin a new catering project with her three sisters, and integrate into the trucking community.

Nancy’s natural ability to plan well makes her a perfect fit for her role: she appreciates being able to schedule things in advance and is keen at taking the many variables of deliveries into account. Whether time differences, adhering to ELD regulations, or traffic – she stresses the importance of preparation in advance to optimize time on the road and to ensure she gets the rest she needs to drive safely and effectively.

Trained in Columbus, the Michigan native was one of the few that graduated from her CDL class. She appreciates the training she took to become excellent at what she does. Nancy loves the camaraderie of trucking, telling of a time when she teamed up with two other truck drivers in Dallas to protect horses loose on the road. Between the three of them blocking the road and turning on their hazards, the horses galloped away to safety. She finds encouragement from her fellow drivers and likes sensing their connection while on the road as they wave at one another.

Our country wouldn’t be the same without people like Nancy, driving daily necessities from coast to coast. She summed up the importance of truck drivers perfectly, sharing “We move the world; everything you get from the shoes on your feet to the hat on your head and the food that you eat, a truck had to bring it.”

Imagine a routine trip to your regular grocery store before heading home after work, only to find that half of the food and beverage you normally purchase isn’t available. It isn’t readily accessible on the shelves because the delivery hasn’t been made to the store yet. Depending on when the next delivery can be made, you’re not sure when you’ll be able to buy that gallon of milk from this trusty shop again. The nation continues to face a growing shortage of commercial drivers and is expected to rocket to 174,000 by 2026 if current trends hold, reports the American Trucking Associations (ATA). The shortage has been deemed at crisis level.

Sean McNally, spokesperson for American Trucking Associations, shared that roughly 71% of all freight tonnage in the United States is moved via truck, equating to more than 10 billion tons per year. With the trucking industry and economy being “inextricably linked”, e-commerce and the accompanying perks including express shipping only add to the deliveries that already struggle to make it to their destination on time.

Due to the continually rising truck driver shortage, retailers are experiencing some of the highest rates in history, according to DAT Solutions senior industry pricing analyst, Mark Montague. Retailers saw a 30% rate increase in April of 2018 compared to the previous year. Those heightened rates then cause retailers to increase their own cost of shipping, membership, and products overall while others are forced to delay shipments.

Drivers, predictably, continue to retire and the crisis only grows worse. With a new generation of workers largely turning away from the trucking industry due to perception of industry lifestyle or they are unable to drive immediately due to regulations, the industry is finding it increasingly difficult to delivery all of the freight necessary to keep the economy moving strongly. In order to continue offering expedited service and maintain with the e-commerce boom, nearly 1 million new drivers will need to join the workforce by 2024 to keep in step with demand.

Last year’s Operation Safe Driver Week garnered nearly 39,000 citations and warnings given to commercial vehicle drivers. More than 84 percent of violations were for state and local moving violations followed by speeding, failure to use seat belt, failure to obey traffic devices, and mobile phone usage. This year’s enforcement blitz is set for July 15 through 21.

During the week, increased traffic enforcement by traffic safety personnel will be implemented. To decrease the number of crashes, deaths, and injuries related to commercial vehicles, extra attention will be paid in looking for unsafe driving behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, failure to use a seatbelt, following too closely, improper lane changes, and failure to obey traffic control devices.

What can you do to prepare for Operation Safe Driver Week 2018?

Review and understand safety policies, practices, and procedures.

Confirm that all required materials and documents are ready in your vehicle.

Analyze cell phone usage policies within your company and for the states/areas you operate in. Centerline Drivers has a zero mobile phone policy.

Exercise safe driving behaviors while working and during personal hours.

Research prompted by the Women in Trucking (WIT) Association and conducted by the National Transportation Institute (NTI) indicates that the amount of female over-the-road truck drivers has risen over the past year. Derived from hundreds of trucking firm surveys, numbers show that the percentage of female drivers increased from 7.13% in 2017 to 7.89% by year’s end. In 2000, women made up 4.7% of the trucking payroll.

WIT also reports that more companies are monitoring the percentage of female drivers and managers, showing growth of 19% over the past two years. With this data, more companies may benchmark with other carriers in the industry. As the driver shortage continues to press upon all facets of the industry and with the average truck driver age at 55, the industry is more readily turning to women as a hiring resource; fleets are seemingly focusing attention on ways to grow female participation.

In another study, WIT partnered with Memphis University to determine the percentage of women in management roles and on boards of publicly traded carriers. Of the 16 organizations, 12 (75%) have female directors, an increase from 10 out of 15 (67%) in 2016.

NTI Chief Operating Officer, Leah Shaver, said that data and names of survey participants are not shared without their permission and guaranteed confidentiality. Companies may share their company profile through the NTI’s website. Contributing carriers will receive a copy of aggregated results by region and fleet size.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) plans to survey truck stop operators, enforcement personnel, and state DOT officials on the lack of available truck parking. A 2014 truck driver survey, “Jason’s Law”, prompted by 2012’s MAP-21 highway funding law concentrated on state-to-state parking availability. The law called for federal funds being set aside to increase and research truck parking.

The FHWA will pursue further data on states’ truck parking situations and will ask respondents about demand for parking in their state, truck parking information systems, number of parking spaces, truck parking plans, and “any impediments to providing adequate truck parking capacity” such as “legislative, regulatory or financial issues” and zoning, public and private impacts, approval and participation, availability of land, and insurance requirements.

The shortage of truck parking remains a top industry concern and the recently implemented ELD mandate has seemed to exacerbate the issue. More than 75% of truck drivers and 66% of logistics personnel reported frequent difficulty finding safe parking locations. There have been reports in some states of illegal parking, sometimes alongside main transportation passages and metropolitan areas, typically between 7:00 pm and 11:59pm.

Public input on what types of questions should be asked and information collected is welcome through May 23rd. Public comments from industry stakeholders can be shared via the agency website.